The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Zamboanga Peninsula (BJMP-9) is focusing on decongesting the Zamboanga City Jail after it has reached its capacity by more than 900 percent.

BJMP-9 officials said the detention center can only accommodate around 200 inmates but the number of PDLs detained at present has already reached more than 2,000.

However, the BJMP-9 added that some inmates will likely be transferred once the new facility under construction is finished.

The local government has allocated some P120 million for the perimeter fence which is currently being built.

“That is 120 million (pesos) gibutangan natu dakung budget para hopefully this year 2024 pwede na natu ma-transfer(PDL). Karung supplemental budget sa March, butangan pud natu sewerage system,” Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe said.

Aside from the construction of the new jail facility, the BJMP-9 is also strengthening its paralegal support services to fast track the cases of PDLs, especially for those who applied for parole.

The Alternative Learning System and livelihood training programs are also ongoing to prepare the PDLs as they start anew once they go out of the jail.

"Yung ating re-integration yung kanilang pagbalik sa mga pamilya, komunidad, dapat maihanda naming sila ng tama. Ibig sabihin kung kailangan mga-aral , mayroon tayo alternative learning system,” Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory Warden, Jail Superintendent Xavier Solda, said.

“Hinahanda po natin yung mga female PDL natin na maitrain sila, madevelop yung skill nila para sa paglaya nila magamit nila ito,” Jail Female Dormitory Warden, Jail Inspector Sitti Abdulahab, said.